Patent GB-209251-A (GB)
Title: Improved method of and apparatus for central heating
IPC: F24D3/02
Filed: 1922-11-17
Abstract: 209,251. Moreau, H. Nov. 17, 1922. Heating buildings.- In a central heating-system for buildings of the kind in which the circulation is effected by means of compressed air the air pressure is arranged to act intermittently on the surface of heated water in a single fluid-tight pulsating-tank 1, Fig. 1, so as to expel the water through the service pipe 3, in which the heater and radiators are connected, to a second or load tank 2, which is located above the tank 1 and the heater, and from which water returns under gravity to the tank 1 wher the air pressure in the latter is relieved. Connected to the pulsating tank are a conduit 6 connected to a source of compressed air and controlled by a valve 7 and a second conduit 6<1> controlled by a valve 7<1> and opening to the atmosphere. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the valves 7, 7<1> are controlled by electromagnets 10, 10<1> which are simultaneously energized by the closing of a switch 13 operated by the engagement of a float 15 in the tank 2 with abutments 16, 16<1> on a rod 14 on which the float 15 slides. Assuming initially the tank 1 is full, the tank 2 empty, and the switch 13 open, then the valve 7 will be open and the valve 7<1> closed. Compressed air is therefore admitted to the tank 1 and expels the water through the system 3 to the load tank 2, until the float 15 causes the switch 13 to be closed and the electromagnets 10, 10<1> to be energized. The valve 7 is thereupon closed cutting off the supply of compressed air, while the valve 7<1> is opened, allowing air to escape by the conduit 6<1> and a new supply of water to be admitted to the tank 1 through the conduit 4 fitted with a non-return valve 5. The cycle of operations is then repeated. A thermostatically-controlled valve may be arranged in the conduit 6 so that compressed air is only admitted to the pulsating tank 1 after the water in the heater or boiler has reached a predetermined temperature. The water circulated in the system 3 may, after passing through one series of radiators 18<1> as shown in Fig. 3, be reheated in tubes 18 in the heater 17 before entering a second series of radiators 18<11>, and the tanks 1, 2 and heater 17 may be combined in a single structure as shown in Fig. 4. In the case of a small heating installation the valve 7 may be dispensed with and the pulsating tank 1 be in permanent communication with the source of compressed air through a small orifice, the valve 7<1> being operated directly by the float 15 in the tank 2. Further modifications are described in which the exhaust and compressed air valves, instead of being electrically operated, are connected directly to a rod fitted with abutments and controlled by a float disposed either in the pulsating tank 1 or in the load tank 2. A feed valve may also be provided for replenishing the system with water, which is admitted to the pulsating-tank 1 when the pressure at the base thereof falls below a certain limit. In applying the invention to a system comprising an ordinary boiler 17. Fig. 12, the water is driven from the pulsating- tank 1 through the radiators 18<11> to the boiler 17 and thence by a conduit 42 to the load tank 2, returning to the tank 1 by the conduit 4; or alternatively, the water may pass from the radiators to the tank 2 and return through the boiler to the tank 1. In order to prevent undue evaporation from the load tank 2 or the loss of vapour carried away with the exhaust air, a condensing coil, through which the cooled water from the radiators passes, may be located in the upper part of the tank 2.